NEWS Imo State Police confirm attack on Shell facility

SHELL NIGERIA

The police have confirmed an attack on a facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Awarra, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo. DSP Andrew Enwerem, the Public Relations Officer of police in the state, told newsmen in Owerri that the police received report of the attack in the early hours of Thursday.

Enwerem could not disclose the extent of damage done to the facility or the group that carried out the attack. Mr Precious Okolobo, spokesman for SPDC said “the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which runs through Awara, Imo State at the Assa-Rumuekpe line, has been shut for repairs since June 8, following a leak at Okolo launch, Bonny in Rivers State.

“We are investigating the reported incident at Awara’’, he said. A source in Awarra community told NAN that the incident occurred at about 5.30a.m. It said the explosion created huge flame at the site and could not confirm if there was loss of life. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.